Which place is cheaper, Seattle or Santiago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Santiago or Seattle?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Santiago and Seattle. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Santiago or Seattle?
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
Seattle
Situated on the Puget Sound in the state of Washington, Seattle is the largest city in the United States Pacific Northwest. It's a beautiful city surrounded by the water and mountains and filled with evergreen trees. It's also the home of some famous American institutions including Starbucks Coffee, Amazon, and Microsoft. The population of almost 700,000 continues to grow. As of 2014, the city was considered the fastest growing major city in the United States. The entire metropolitan area has about 3.6 million residents, making it the 15th largest metro area in the US. The natural beauty, growing economy, and educational base give Seattle a youthful vibe that keep the city young and energetic.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Santiago Prices
Chile PricesSeattle Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $154Seattle $242
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $154, while the average daily cost in Seattle is $242. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Santiago and Seattle in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago $112Seattle $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $224Seattle $240
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Seattle
Looking for a hotel in Santiago or Seattle? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Santiago Hotel Prices and Seattle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago $5.55Seattle $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Private Transfer to/from Santiago Airport (SCL): $15
- SCL Airport Private Transfer ⇄ Santiago/Providencia/Las Condes: $18
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport (SCL): $24
- Private Transfer to Santiago Airport (SCL): $24
- Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $30
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Santiago Hotel to SCL Airport: $34
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago: $34
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $37
- Santiago de Chile Airport Transfer: $40
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seattle
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:
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Lightrail from Airport (for 2)$5.50
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Roundtrip Ferry to Bainbridge Island (for 2)$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seattle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:
- One-Way Seattle Airport Transfer Service: $27
- Private Seattle Airport Transfer One Way SUV and Van: $36
- Seattle Cruise Port Transfer – Van & SUV Service (Pier 66 & 91): $37
- SEA Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $37
- Private Transfer from Seattle hotels to Smith Cove Terminal: $38
- Private Transfer from Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle Hotels: $38
- Private Transfer from Seattle Airport SEA to Smith Cove Terminal: $38
- Private Transfer from Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle Airport SEA: $38
- One-Way Transfer: SeaTac Hotels to Seattle Piers 66 & 91: $40
- One-Way Transfer: SeaTac Airport to Seattle Piers 66 & 91: $40
- One-Way Transfer: Pier 91 to Airport: $40
- Seattle SEA Airport to Downtown|Pier 91|Bellevue Private Transfer: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or Seattle?
Prices for flights to both Seattle and Santiago change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySantiago $23Seattle $88
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.94
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Hamburger$2.57
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $56
- Best Santiago Street Food Tour with 4+ Tastings and Drink: $58
- Mercado Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $60
- 4h Cooking Class in 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
- 4h Cooking Class in Santiago : 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
- Local Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $99
- Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
- Lastarria Food Tour: Wine, Bites & Social Culinary Experience: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- Barrio Italia Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $119
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $125
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
Typical Food Prices in Seattle
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:
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Expresso & cookie at Pier 70$7.00
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Cashews at Pike Place Market$6.00
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6 Mini Donuts at Pike Place Market$3.25
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Chinese Lunch in International District (for 2)$21
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Breakfast at Lowel's in Pike Place Market (for 2)$32
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Breakfast at French Cafe (for 2)$37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seattle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.
- Plant-Based in Pike Place Food Tour: $50
- Seattle Holiday Food Tour: Delicious Donuts & Holiday Treats: $70
- Pike Place Market Food Tour with 9+ Tastings: $73
- Seattle : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $73
- Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market: $75
- Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour: $75
- Japanese Ramen Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
- Fun Taco Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Seattle: $75
- Seattle Buffet Dinner Cruise: $95
- Pike Place Market: Original Food Tour - Tips Included!: $112
- Seafood Tour with Market Visit: $119
- Japanese Sushi Cooking Class in Seattle (Includes 4-Course Meal): $123
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $49Seattle $16
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $11
- Historical Sights Walking Tour: $15
- Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- History Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $21
- Guided Tour of Santiago de Chile History and Culture: $25
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
- Santiago Sightseeing Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $25
- City Tour Santiago - Walking Tour: $29
Tours and Activities in Seattle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
- Discover A Self-Guided Tour: $1.15
- Pike Place Market Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Experience Mining For Genuine Montana Sapphires in SODO, Seattle: $10
- Seattle Downtown Pioneers to Starbucks Self Guided Walking Tour: $12
- An Epic Audio Tour : Seattle on Capital Hill Adventure: $15
- Downtown Seattle Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
- Car Collection Guided Tour in SODO: $15
- Seattle Gay History Tour Queers Queens and Everything in Between: $20
- Smith Tower Observatory Admission Ticket: $22
- National Nordic Museum Entry Ticket: $24
- Seattle Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Smith Tower Observatory Access Ticket: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $8.62Seattle $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- "Chile in Your Glass" Wine Tasting.: $22
- Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $55
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
- Concha y Toro Tour with Wine Tasting and Transport: $87
- Viña Santa Rita Premium Tour and 5 Wine Tasting Small Group: $89
Sample the Local Flavors in Seattle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:
- Astonishing Bar Crawl in Seattle Belltown Bar Blitz: $15
- Seattle Terrors Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Seattle Pioneer Square Ghost Tour and Pub Crawl: $35
- Personalized Wine Tasting Experience in Seattle: $60
- Seattle Beer Wander - Ballard Brewery District: $65
- Woodinville's Downtown Wine Tasting Pass: $65
- Small Group Wine Tasting: Explore Diverse Wines and PNW Cuisine: $75
- Fun Pasta Making Class at a Trendy Brewery in Seattle: $75
- Diverse Wine Tasting Experience with Bites: $75
- Pike Place Market Tour with Wine Tasting: $77
- Chauffeured Self Guided Wine Tour in SODO: $102
- Woodinville Guided Wine Tour with Optional Tastings: $109
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and Seattle, we can see that Seattle is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santiago is in South America and Seattle is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Santiago would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle than you might in Santiago.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santiago Expensive? and Is Seattle Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago or Seattle?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Santiago and Seattle, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Santiago or Seattle?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Santiago is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Seattle has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Santiago or Seattle in the Summer?
Both Seattle and Santiago are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Santiago is around the same temperature as Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santiago in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C)in July.
In January, Santiago usually receives less rain than Seattlein July. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySantiago 21°C (70°F)Seattle 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Santiago or Seattle in the Autumn?
Both Seattle and Santiago during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Seattle because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In April, Santiago is generally a little warmer than Seattlein October. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 15°C (59°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
Santiago usually gets less rain in April than Seattlein October. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSantiago 15°C (59°F)Seattle 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Santiago or Seattle in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago and Seattle. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.
Santiago is much warmer than Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 9°C (48°F) in July, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C)in January.
Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Santiago usually receives less rain than Seattlein January. Santiago gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySantiago 9°C (48°F)Seattle 42°F (5°C)
Should I visit Santiago or Seattle in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Santiago as well as Seattle. Additionally, many travelers come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Santiago is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santiago in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C)in April.
Santiago usually gets less rain in October than Seattlein April. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSantiago 15°C (59°F)Seattle 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Seattle and Santiago
| Santiago | Seattle | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 42°F (5°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 6 inches (152 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.